Former US President Joe Biden./FILEOn Monday, Kenyans woke up to reports that former US President, Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive type of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is a disease where cancerous cells grow in the prostate gland, a small gland in the male reproductive system located below the bladder.
The disease is at a Gleason score 9 out of 10, and has affected his bones. The Gleason score 9 means Biden’s case is high grade or high risk.
The Gleason score is a system used to grade prostate cancer based on how abnormal the cancer cells appear under a microscope, and how likely they are to grow and spread.
It is calculated by adding the grades of the two most common patterns of cancer cells in a biopsy sample.
The score typically ranges from 6 to 10, with lower scores indicating less aggressive cancer and slower growth.
Cancer cells with a score of 9 look very abnormal and are likely to grow quickly.
A statement from his office said the diagnosis followed tests conducted on him last week after he experienced increased urinary symptoms.
It further said that the family is currently exploring treatment options.
“Last week, President Joe Biden was seen for finding of a prostate nodule after experiencing increasing urinary symptoms.
"On Friday, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, characterized by a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5) with metastasis to the bone.
"While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone- sensitive which allows for effective management.
The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians,” the statement reads.
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in American men, after lung cancer.
The society further predicts that more than 300,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be reported in the US this year.
Biden’s case is said to have affected his bones and is hormone sensitive, which leaves very few treatment options for the former president.
According to doctors, he only has to find a treatment that will help manage the disease.
Dr Jamin Vinod Brahmbhatt, a urologist at Orlando Health Medical Group, told the BBC that this level of spread does have medical based treatments such as chemotherapy, steroids and hormone therapy available, none of them are curative.
"There are more medical options to stabilise the patient and control the cancer, but it never gets rid of the cancer completely," he said.
Since leaving office, Biden, 82, has kept a low profile from public events and engagements until recentsly when he attended the funeral of Pope Francis.
He also had an interview with the BBC.
Biden's diagnosis comes in a similar way to King Charles, who announced he was suffering from cancer after having an unrelated procedure for an enlarged prostate.
Previous health concerns resurface
Long before his current diagnosis, concerns about Biden’s health had surfaced during his final year in the White House.
His occasional coughing fits and stumbles drew scrutiny, fueling speculation about his well-being. This isn't the first time Biden has faced a cancer diagnosis.
Prior to his presidency, he underwent surgeries to remove several “localised, non-melanoma skin cancers.”
These types of cancers typically appear on sun-exposed areas like the face, ears, and upper chest. In November 2021, a potentially pre-cancerous polyp was removed from his colon.
Then in early 2023, a basal cell carcinoma — a common, treatable form of skin cancer — was excised from his chest.
A personal mission turns personal again
Cancer has long been a personal cause for Biden. In 2022, he launched the Cancer Moonshot initiative with a bold aim: to cut the cancer death rate in half by 2047.
The project was deeply personal, continuing efforts he began as vice president after losing his son, Beau, to brain cancer. Now, at 82, Biden faces his most serious health challenge yet — an advanced case of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones.
Bone metastasis is a common progression of prostate cancer and presents significant treatment challenges.
While localised cancers can often be surgically removed or targeted with radiation, metastasized cancer is far more difficult to eliminate completely.
Fortunately, the form of cancer Biden is battling depends on hormones to grow. This means hormone-blocking therapies may offer a viable treatment path.
Messages of support pour in
As news of his diagnosis broke, messages of solidarity came from across the political spectrum and around the world.
President Donald Trump shared on Truth Social: “Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden’s recent medical diagnosis. We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Meghan McCain, daughter of the late Senator John McCain, who also died of cancer, wrote: “Cancer is the absolute worst. It is hell... Wishing nothing but healing, prayers, light and strength to President Biden and his family. I don’t believe times like these are appropriate for politics.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom added, “Our hearts are with President Biden and his entire family right now.”
